Atlanta Falcons–Denver Broncos Trade History

Atlanta Falcons received Larron Jackson in the deal with Denver Broncos. Jackson started every Falcons game in both 1975 and 1976, giving Atlanta 28 consecutive starts from the player it acquired. That is substantial direct value for a deal built around modest assets. That outcome supports a B+ for Atlanta Falcons. The Atlanta Falcons Win verdict weighs documented games, starts, production and connected draft value.

Atlanta received Charles Greer, Jerry Simmons, and the 1976 sixth-round choice used on Stan Varner. The three-piece package looked broader, but it also produced little durable NFL value, leaving the Falcons without enough payoff to create a meaningful edge. The D grade reflects that realized football value and the complete supported package, while the overall verdict is Even Trade.

Denver acquired defensive lineman Andrew Provence in May 1988. Provence then spent the next two seasons on injured reserve and did not provide regular-season production for the Broncos. With Atlanta's conditional late-round return also producing no clearly established standout payoff, Denver's C grade fits a transaction that generated little realized football value on either side.

Denver traded defensive back Alton Montgomery to Atlanta for the Falcons' 1993 third- and seventh-round selections. The Broncos packaged No. 83 with their original first-round position to move from No. 14 to No. 11, where they selected Dan Williams, who played 87 NFL games and recorded 27 sacks. Denver also retained the seventh-round opportunity, giving the club substantial value from the incoming draft capital.

Denver acquired receiver Mike Pritchard and a 1995 seventh-round pick from Atlanta on April 24, 1994, while the Falcons received a 1994 third-rounder and Denver's 1995 first-round choice. Pritchard became a productive Broncos receiver, but Atlanta's future first was later used in the Chris Doleman trade. Both teams found value; the premium draft asset gives Atlanta the stronger overall result.

Denver sent three 2001 seventh-round picks to Atlanta for a 2002 fourth-round selection. The Falcons used one of those late choices, No. 219, on guard Kynan Forney, who played 95 games and started 89 for Atlanta from 2001 through 2007. Denver's future fourth retained meaningful value but was later traded, while Atlanta turned a long-shot pick into a seven-year starting lineman and clearly won the exchange.

Denver received Atlanta's 2002 seventh-round pick and eventually used No. 228 on safety Chris Young. Young provided only modest NFL value for the Broncos, so the draft return never developed into a significant payoff. Because Henri Crockett stepped directly into a useful role for Atlanta, Denver's side settles at C rather than matching the Falcons' stronger result.

Denver acquired defensive tackle Ellis Johnson from Atlanta in September 2004 for a conditional 2005 fifth-round pick that became No. 160 Michael Boley. Johnson appeared in 13 games for the Broncos that season, while Boley developed into a four-year Atlanta starter and a long-term NFL linebacker. The future pick produced substantially more durable value for the Falcons.

Denver Broncos received 2009 conditional seventh round pick (#235-Zack Follett; subsequently traded to Detroit) in the 2008-09-02 exchange with Atlanta Falcons. Denver converted Foxworth into a conditional 2009 seventh-rounder that settled at No. 235, Zack Follett, before sending that choice to Detroit in the Tom Brandstater trade. Against Atlanta Falcons's return of Domonique Foxworth, that outcome supports a C+ grade. The transaction is judged Atlanta Falcons Win, with the mark tied to the football value that actually followed from the deal.

Atlanta acquired Ty Sambrailo for a 2018 fifth-round pick and received enough utility to sign him to a three-year extension in 2019. Denver recovered No. 163 overall and later used that selection as part of the package for Su’a Cravens rather than making the pick itself. Both clubs turned an expendable asset into practical roster value, making the exchange much closer to even than the original Denver-win grade suggested.

Denver traded picks 40 and 114 to Atlanta for No. 35 and No. 219, then selected running back Javonte Williams and receiver Seth Williams. Atlanta turned its return into safety Richie Grant and center Drew Dalman. Javonte Williams delivered productive seasons despite a major knee injury, but Dalman became a multi-year starting center and Grant also supplied defensive snaps. The Falcons received two useful starters from the premium Denver paid to move up.